The correct answer is to audit virtual machines that are not configured to send logs to Azure Monitor. This policy uses the `AuditIfNotExists` effect to check whether the Microsoft Monitoring Agent extension is installed on each VM; if the agent is missing, the VM is flagged as non-compliant because it cannot forward security events and logs to a Log Analytics workspace for Defender for Cloud’s analysis. On the SC-900 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of how Defender for Cloud enforces log collection through policy-based auditing rather than blocking or denying actions—a common trap is confusing `AuditIfNotExists` with `Deny` or assuming the policy checks for endpoint protection or vulnerability scanning. Remember the memory tip: “Audit the Agent, not the Antivirus”—if the policy snippet mentions the Monitoring Agent extension, the goal is always log collection for Azure Monitor, not security software or vulnerability assessments.
SC-900 Practice Question: Describe the capabilities of Microsoft security solutions
This SC-900 practice question tests your understanding of describe the capabilities of microsoft security solutions. Match the stated requirement to the specific cloud service, access model, or configuration option — many options are valid in isolation but not for this scenario. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
Exhibit
{
"exhibit": "Refer to the exhibit. The following is a snippet of a Microsoft Defender for Cloud security policy: { \"policyRule\": { \"if\": { \"field\": \"type\", \"equals\": \"Microsoft.Compute/virtualMachines\" }, \"then\": { \"effect\": \"AuditIfNotExists\", \"details\": { \"type\": \"Microsoft.Compute/virtualMachines/extensions\", \"existenceCondition\": { \"field\": \"Microsoft.Compute/virtualMachines/extensions/type\", \"equals\": \"MicrosoftMonitoringAgent\" } } } } }"
}
Refer to the exhibit. Your company uses Microsoft Defender for Cloud. You find the policy snippet in your policy assignments. What is the primary goal of this policy?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "primary"
Why it matters: Asks for the main purpose or function, not a secondary benefit. Eliminate answers that describe side-effects or partial functions.
{
"exhibit": "Refer to the exhibit. The following is a snippet of a Microsoft Defender for Cloud security policy: { \"policyRule\": { \"if\": { \"field\": \"type\", \"equals\": \"Microsoft.Compute/virtualMachines\" }, \"then\": { \"effect\": \"AuditIfNotExists\", \"details\": { \"type\": \"Microsoft.Compute/virtualMachines/extensions\", \"existenceCondition\": { \"field\": \"Microsoft.Compute/virtualMachines/extensions/type\", \"equals\": \"MicrosoftMonitoringAgent\" } } } } }"
}
A
To block deployment of virtual machines without a specific extension
Why wrong: The effect is 'AuditIfNotExists', which audits but does not block.
B
To identify virtual machines missing vulnerability assessment
Why wrong: The policy does not check for vulnerability assessment; it checks for the Monitoring Agent.
C
To ensure virtual machines have endpoint protection installed
Why wrong: The policy checks for the Microsoft Monitoring Agent, not endpoint protection.
D
To audit virtual machines that are not configured to send logs to Azure Monitor
The Microsoft Monitoring Agent collects logs and forwards them to Azure Monitor; the policy identifies VMs without this agent.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
To audit virtual machines that are not configured to send logs to Azure Monitor
Option D is correct because the policy audits virtual machines to ensure they have the Microsoft Monitoring Agent extension installed, which is used for log collection and security monitoring. Option A is wrong because the effect is 'AuditIfNotExists', not 'Deny'. Option B is wrong because the policy checks for the Monitoring Agent, not Endpoint Protection. Option C is wrong because the policy does not check for vulnerability assessment.
Key principle: ACLs process entries top to bottom and stop at the first match. Entry order and interface direction matter as much as the permit or deny statement.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✗
To block deployment of virtual machines without a specific extension
Why it's wrong here
The effect is 'AuditIfNotExists', which audits but does not block.
✗
To identify virtual machines missing vulnerability assessment
Why it's wrong here
The policy does not check for vulnerability assessment; it checks for the Monitoring Agent.
✗
To ensure virtual machines have endpoint protection installed
Why it's wrong here
The policy checks for the Microsoft Monitoring Agent, not endpoint protection.
✓
To audit virtual machines that are not configured to send logs to Azure Monitor
Why this is correct
The Microsoft Monitoring Agent collects logs and forwards them to Azure Monitor; the policy identifies VMs without this agent.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "primary" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: ACLs stop at the first match
ACLs are processed top to bottom. The first matching entry wins, and an implicit deny usually exists at the end.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
ACL questions test precision: source, destination, protocol, port and direction. A generally correct ACL can still fail if it is applied on the wrong interface or in the wrong direction.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
Extended ACLs can match source, destination, protocol and ports.
The first matching ACL entry is used.
There is usually an implicit deny at the end.
TExam Day Tips
→Check inbound versus outbound direction.
→Read the ACL from top to bottom.
→Look for a broader permit or deny above the intended line.
Key takeaway
ACLs process entries top to bottom and stop at the first match. Entry order and interface direction matter as much as the permit or deny statement.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
An e-commerce site experiences heavy traffic on Black Friday and near-zero traffic during off-peak weeks. Rather than provisioning permanent large VMs, the team uses auto-scaling groups that add capacity automatically under load and reduce it overnight. Questions like this test whether you understand elasticity, availability zones, and cloud compute scaling patterns.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this SC-900 question in full detail.
Review ACL processing order, placement rules (standard near destination, extended near source), and inbound vs outbound direction. Study wildcard masks and implicit deny. Then practise related SC-900 ACL questions on filtering logic and placement.
Describe the capabilities of Microsoft security solutions — This question tests Describe the capabilities of Microsoft security solutions — Standard ACLs match source addresses..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: To audit virtual machines that are not configured to send logs to Azure Monitor — Option D is correct because the policy audits virtual machines to ensure they have the Microsoft Monitoring Agent extension installed, which is used for log collection and security monitoring. Option A is wrong because the effect is 'AuditIfNotExists', not 'Deny'. Option B is wrong because the policy checks for the Monitoring Agent, not Endpoint Protection. Option C is wrong because the policy does not check for vulnerability assessment.
What should I do if I get this SC-900 question wrong?
Review ACL processing order, placement rules (standard near destination, extended near source), and inbound vs outbound direction. Study wildcard masks and implicit deny. Then practise related SC-900 ACL questions on filtering logic and placement.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "primary". Asks for the main purpose or function, not a secondary benefit. Eliminate answers that describe side-effects or partial functions.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
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